Electric heater for water-circulating systems



Aug. 12. '1924.-

R. K. PECK ELECTRIC HEATER FOR WATER CIRCULATING SYSTEMS Filed Jan. 5, 1922 Patented Aug. 12, 1924.

UNITED STATES RICHARD K. PECK, OF ELG-IN, ILLINOS.

ELECTRIC HEATER FOB. WATER-CIRCULATING SYSTEMS.

Application filed January 3, 1922.

To all ywhom it may concern.:

Be it known that I, RICHARD K. PEOR, a citizen of the United States, residing at the city of Elgin, in the county of Kane and State of illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric Heaters for VVater-Circulating Systems, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to the care and upkeep of internally fired motors, particularly those which are applied to and used on automobile vehicles. lt'is the object thereof to provide means by which the cooling water enclosed in the water jackets, radiators and their connections may be prevented from freezing or from falling below a temperature at which the motor readily can be started. lt is a particular,r feature of my device that l provide a water chamber auxiliary to and connected with the cooling` system together with an electric heating cell entirely isolated therefrom. l am able to set up a uniform circulation throughout the water circulating devices of the motor and, to that end, l utilize the difference in temperature dependent upon the relative heights of the water column. I further enclose and insulate the electric heating element of my apparatus so that the heat units developed are all directly connected to the water containing structures.

1t is a further object of my invention to provide means by which the heating apparatus can readily be attached to the water jacket of the motor and by which the flow of water between the heating device and the main water body can be readily provided forf The principles of my invention are illustrated in the drawings in which Fig. 1 is a side view of a motor hood, portions being broken away to disclose the engine and showing my device in operative position. Fig. 2 represents a longitudinal section of my device on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a transverse section on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2. Fig. t is a front View of the body portion of my device, the heat-insulation material and outer casing being removed. Figs. 5 and 6 are details of a heating element.

Further describing my invention with reference to the drawings in which like characters of reference denote like parts throughout: 1 is the hood of an automobile engine, a portion thereof being broken away to disclose the manifold 2 and the water jackets 3 Serial No. 526,779.

by which the cylinders vare enclosed. L shows a heating device embodying` my invention secured upon the water jacket of said motor by means hereinafter to be described. ln the said heating device 5 is one of the walls of the body portion which, as shown, may be generally rectangular in form. 6 is a water chamber and 4' is a rearwardly placed, inwardly extending recess to receive the electric heating element 8. rilhe said element should be of such shape or form as to closely lill the recess provided therefor. rlhe internal structure of said element is immaterial and. as shown, constitutes no portion of my invention. 1t is sufficient to say that resistance wires or ribbons 10 are wound around supports 11 of mica and they are further enclosed within walls 12 of mica or other insulation. Said external insulation should be so complete that the current led to the resistance wires when placed in circuit will not be diffused or short-circuited.

A heating element of the character described being seated in the recess 7 provided therefor is held in place by means of a thin metallic plate 14 by screws 15 which take into the body of the device. On the other 'ace of the heating unit are provided bosses 17 tapped for screws 18 by which the outer casing 2O may be secured to and spaced from the body portion of the heating unit. The intermediate space' is lled with heat-insulating material 21 such as asbestos. Transverse openings are made at points of the heater on different levels thereof as at To establish a water circulation and at the same time securely attach my heating apparatus to the water jacket of the engine I provide a device in the nature of a special bolt consisting of the hollow body portion 23 and the head 24 and provided with transverse openings 25 which connect Vthe water chamber of my heating device through the medium of an axial bore 26 with the water jacket of the engine.

The other face of my heating unit is recessed to take a gasket 28 and a metallic washer 29 under the head 24 of said bolt.

lhen it is desired to attach my device to a motor, the casing 2O is removed and the motor jacket tapped to take the threaded ends of the hollow bolts 23. At the point adjacent to the' wall of the motor casing gaskets 30 should also be applied. Then the bolts 24 are drawn up tightly complete provision is made for water circulation between the chamber 6 of my device and the water body of the motor and its attachments. The casing 2O together with the enclosed insulation 2l being attached by means of the screws 18 complete external heat insulation is provided as well as an agreeable finish tor the device. It would further be seen that as the heating unit is completely enclosed there will be no loss of heat by external radiation. The heat units will either be directly communicated to the water body of my device or to the jacket of the motor.

One of two terminal plates 3l having the outwardly extending terminals 32, is shown in Fig. 6. The ends of resistance wires lO are connected to the terminal plates. lhen it is desired to leave the engine out of use andv still keep the cooling water at a teinperature above freezing or preferably at which it can be readily started, the terminals 32 are connected to any convenient lamp socket. As the water is heated in chamber 6 a circulation is established outwardly through the upper and inwardly through the lower of the hollow connections 23 which is extended to the entire cooling system o' the motor.

I have described my invention by relierence to an automobile motor. It is clear, however, that the principles thereo't adapt it to use in other motors and principally to the heating ot bodies ot water by use oi the electric current.

I claim:

l. In a device of the character described, the combination with a motor having a water jacket, of an auxiliary heating unit comprising a wall enclosing and forming a water chamber and having an inwardly extending recess, an insulated electric heating element in said recess, means for attaching said heating unit to said water jacket in heating relation to said water jacket and to said water chamber and means for connecting the water chamber inwardly with said water jacket.

2. In a device of the character described; the combination with a motor having a water jacket, of an auxiliary heating unit comprising wall enclosing' and forming a water chamber and havinel an inwardly extending recess, an insulated electric heating element in said recess, means for attaching said heating unit to said water jacket in heating relation to said water jacket and to said water chamber and means for connecting the water chamber inwardly with said water jacket whereby said unit is attached xternally to said water jacket to enclose and surround said electric heating' element.

In a device oi' the character described; the combination with a motor having a water jacket, ot an auxiliary heating unit having a water chamber and transverse openngs and a bolt having an axial bore and lateral openings to connect the heating unit both externally and internally with said water acket.

4. In a device oiA the character described; a wall enclosing a Vwater chamber, means for internally connecting said water chamber with a water circulating system, and an electric heating element surrounded enclosed by said wall and adapted to be interposed betwe ii said water chamber and said watercirculating system.

5. In a device oi the character described; a wall enclosing a water chamber, means tor internally connecting said water chamber with a water circulating system whereby said 'wall is iurther attached to and connected with said water circulating system, and an electric heating element surrounded by said wall and enclosed between 'the saine and said water circulating system.

In device ot the character described; the combination with a motor having a water jacket of an auxiliary heating unit having a water chamber, an electric heating element enclosed between said heating unit and said water jacket, a casing spaced from said unit, and heat-insulating material inerposed between said casing and said unit.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand at Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, this 30th day ot December, 1921.

RICHARD K. riioi. 

